Edgar Whitcomb

It is foolish and wrong to mourn good people who die.... Rather we should thank God that such people lived. -George S. Patton Rome, Indiana - Edgar D. Whitcomb, 98, former Governor of Indiana, passed away on February 4, 2016, at his home in Rome, surrounded by his family. He was born in Hayden, Indiana, on November 6, 1917. His parents were the late John and Louise (Doud) Whitcomb. Ed was a 1935 graduate of Hayden High School and graduated from Indiana University where he studied law and played trumpet in the Marching 100. He was a Colonel in the United States Army Air Force, and veteran of World War II, where he was held captive by the Japanese. He recounted his wartime years in his first book, Escape From Corregidor. He served in the Indiana State Senate, as Secretary of State, then as Indiana's 43rd governor from 1969-1973. After retiring from law and public life, Ed embarked on a solo sailing journey, circumnavigating the world. After ten years of travel, he came back to his home in Southern Indiana where he remained the rest of his life. Through all of the heroic actions in the war and his years of public service, his family's cherished memories are of a kind, loving father and grandfather that always treated them fairly and loved to be with little children. He was a member of Hayden United Methodist Church in Hayden and Columbia Club in Indianapolis. Ed was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts in Seymour. Ed is survived by his wife, Mary Evelyn Whitcomb; daughters, Patricia "Trish" Sipes (Russ), Indianapolis, Ann Guggenheim (John), Indianapolis, Shelley Whitcomb, Seymour and Alice Carfagno, Los Angeles, California; son, John Whitcomb (Terri), Nashville, Indiana; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, sister, Sally Lieurance, Williamsburg,Virginia and brother, Charles Whitcomb, Miami, Florida. Also preceding him in death was a sister, Laura Showalter. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at 6:00 PM CST on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel, with visitation from 2:00 until 6:00 PM CST. Pastors Paul Alvey and Ann Skiba will officiate. There will also be funeral services held at 2:00 PM EST on Sunday at Hayden United Methodist Church with visitation from 12:00 PM until service time. Tom Judd will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Perry County Community Foundation, Ed and Evelyn Whitcomb Scholarship Fund or to the Hayden Historical Society. Governor's Office Announces Standing Honors, Public Statehouse Memorial Service for Former Governor Edgar D. Whitcomb Indianapolis - The Office of Governor Mike Pence announced the following details for the standing honors and a memorial service for former Governor Edgar D. Whitcomb. Governor Mike Pence encourages Hoosiers from around the state to pay tribute to former Governor Whitcomb by signing condolence books at memorial events on Thursday and Friday. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view former Governor Whitcomb's portrait and bust and learn more about his career and extensive background in public service. In addition, Governor Mike Pence has directed that flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of former Governor Whitcomb's public memorial, Friday, February 12, to honor former Governor Whitcomb's military and public service to Indiana and the nation. Friday, February 12: 11:15 a.m. EST - Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit Funeral Cort&egravege departs Indiana War Memorial, joined by the Indiana National Guard's 38th Infantry Division Band and Indiana State Police. Members of the media may attend and shoot B-roll and take pictures; members of the public are asked to join the ceremony at the Statehouse instead of meeting at the Indiana War Memorial. Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN *The cort&egravege will travel south on Meridian Street from the Indiana War Memorial, will turn west on Market Street, and then south on Capitol Avenue. Traffic will be restricted on this route, starting at Meridian Street south of Michigan Avenue, beginning at approximately at 10:45 a.m. EST. Capitol Avenue and Washington Street will also be restricted during the 19-Round Howitzer cannon salute towards the end of the memorial ceremony. 11:20 a.m. EST - Cort&egravege will pause on north side of Monument Circle for flyover (weather permitting) North spoke of Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 11:30 a.m. EST - Cort&egravege arrives at the south entrance of the Statehouse Statehouse - South Doors, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 12:00 p.m. EST - Memorial ceremony begins in the rotunda of the Statehouse. Members of the public are welcome to attend the program, pay respects and sign condolence books. Governor Mike Pence, First Lady Karen Pence, and former Governor Whitcomb's wife Evelyn Whitcomb will lay a wreath at the public memorial. Statehouse - Rotunda, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN Starting at approximately 12:30/12:45 p.m. EST - 19-Round Howitzer cannon salute, 3 Volley Rifle Salute, and military honors on the south lawn of the Statehouse Statehouse - South Lawn, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN